I am the last horse to cross the finish line. I did not know that Nick Batt is DNA featuring Suzanne Vega from 1990! My mind is blown. Seriously? I have been a SonicState reader since the late 1990s. That remix inspired me to become a DJ and remixer when I was 10 years old. Still have the CD single I bought at a pawn shop in 1991. I always knew he was cool asf, but I didn’t know he was THAT cool. Who else knows this?
I found this out like a month ago and I’ve been subscribed to him since 2012. It explains a lot namely that time he randomly had a portishead owned 808 in that one video lol
Nick in good form for this one! A very interesting synth indeed. Aside from the functionality, I'm amazed that such a small company has been able to do their own knobs, pads, etc. All the best to Norand!
Thanks for this; it’s the most comprehensive overview I’ve seen so far. Have had my MKII for over a month now and still trying to wrap my head around the concept of how it works. There are moments of brilliance but much of it is ‘I’m not sure why this is happening or if I can do it again…but it’s amazing right now’. I wish @synthdawg would do a manual for it as the metaphor for how it works is a bit foreign and it takes some time to really grasp. It’s going to be a classic synth though, I have no doubt as the abilities that are built in to it are so versatile and the sound is great. Mine has also been a bit buggy but I have the impression that the manufacturer is on top of updates and working though all the areas that aren’t quite there yet.
MK2 manual is not finished :F This is kind of why I stay away from hardware with a Firmware Card Slot (TM). It's all modern, and it's all customers testing the product for you. No. You test it and then you charge. It using FPGA is not necessarily a bad thing, even if all processing is digital and so not that different from synth engines in e.g. Kurzweil. I appreciate also that it almost doesn't have a keyboard, because I have enough of those, but I'd have to know exactly how the non-buttons are made before I'd know they won't go bad. The modulation mapping is innovative, seems very intuitive and others should take note - and could potentially carry a problem with it - potentiometers triggering (changes or mapping) when they shouldn't. The sturdiness of the case really is irrelevant. I notice there's no performance section and wonder if it takes input for that. As for the rest - color coded knobs and buttons, xmod, filter options, excellent, and reads to me as a mono JD-XA with more connection options without the fuss. Whether this leads to unique farts and quacks - well, it's just very hard to get an analog synth to sound unique, if e.g. Andromeda A6 can't. They could still do it, and the benefit of lotsa upgrades is this could be a slice of bread on which they serve the eventual sandwich that could be killer. But people kinda have to know they're buying into killer or relatively same sounding. Do they have a great sound programmer, to tell them what features are needed, is the question. Anyway end rant, thx for video. :)
I hope this flies for Norand. This has evolved in such positive ways. Obviously there will be development hiccups and compromises in a wildly ambitious project, but the calls seem intelligently made here. None of the glitches looks like it breaks any deals, in the sense that these things look all to be firmware issues at an early stage. So success here might allow the fledgling company to do more ambitious work going forward. This example seems very much its own animal in a field increasingly infested with copyrats. That is in itself a reason to be cheerful, as the old song goes.
Currently my favorite piece of gear. Still experiencing a few hiccups, but Matthieu has been very diligent in patching bugs. And this little monster can speak for itself. What a sound! Thank you NIck, for showing us a few tricks! I can see that I've barely scratched the surface of what this synth can do.
I feel like the market is over saturated with analogue mono’s now. It’s getting harder to feel excited about them. The modulation options are nice though.
Awesome job, Nick! I did a video on the mk1 and how I use it. To me, the most useful part of it is the sequencer and using it with MOD notes, gradually randomized in. I use this in live performances and it sounds like a much more capable synth than just a typical mono with drums and randomized MOD notes added. Best of all, because it sounds so great and inspiring, it makes it on 95% of the tracks I make which speaks for itself.
Analog filter, as well as 2 (analog) oscillators? What type of filter is it (3-pole/18dB … but what is it based on/similar to?)? Interesting and sounds good … but why call it ‘hybrid’, if it’s an all-analog signal path? Analog LFO? Analog VCA? Analog envelopes?
I wanna see more of Nick’s music promoted. This guy has been a core backbone of the music tech world for so long and we know him for this but his actual music production is out of this world. The guy is right up there with any of the greats.
On my CHristmas list; because as others have said - I hope it flies; but hope doesn't equate to income for them to keep the lights on. So I shall acquire and be one more step in the right direction!
As ever my question is whether this is wind synth friendly? At a minimum can I use breath (aftertouch) to override the envelope, does it handle legato correctly, and does it not have a dead-spot in the middle of the pitch bend? For bonus points, can I send it MIDI CCs to control all sorts of interesting things using the Roland AE-30's motion controls and pressure sensitive thumb pad?
I am the last horse to cross the finish line. I did not know that Nick Batt is DNA featuring Suzanne Vega from 1990! My mind is blown. Seriously? I have been a SonicState reader since the late 1990s. That remix inspired me to become a DJ and remixer when I was 10 years old. Still have the CD single I bought at a pawn shop in 1991. I always knew he was cool asf, but I didn’t know he was THAT cool. Who else knows this?
I am sure most of us knew
James, I also didn`t know the ins and outs; but knew by default Nick is super dope from the get-go!
I found this out like a month ago and I’ve been subscribed to him since 2012. It explains a lot namely that time he randomly had a portishead owned 808 in that one video lol
Well I never !
Nick’s reviews are the best out there. I’m not even remotely interested in the device, but I watched the whole thing.
Nick in good form for this one! A very interesting synth indeed. Aside from the functionality, I'm amazed that such a small company has been able to do their own knobs, pads, etc. All the best to Norand!
Thanks for this; it’s the most comprehensive overview I’ve seen so far. Have had my MKII for over a month now and still trying to wrap my head around the concept of how it works. There are moments of brilliance but much of it is ‘I’m not sure why this is happening or if I can do it again…but it’s amazing right now’. I wish @synthdawg would do a manual for it as the metaphor for how it works is a bit foreign and it takes some time to really grasp. It’s going to be a classic synth though, I have no doubt as the abilities that are built in to it are so versatile and the sound is great. Mine has also been a bit buggy but I have the impression that the manufacturer is on top of updates and working though all the areas that aren’t quite there yet.
Nick: you are the best in the business. Thanks so much for your work sir!
Always going to be a good day when there is a new Sonic LAB of a hardware synth.
MK2 manual is not finished :F This is kind of why I stay away from hardware with a Firmware Card Slot (TM). It's all modern, and it's all customers testing the product for you. No. You test it and then you charge.
It using FPGA is not necessarily a bad thing, even if all processing is digital and so not that different from synth engines in e.g. Kurzweil. I appreciate also that it almost doesn't have a keyboard, because I have enough of those, but I'd have to know exactly how the non-buttons are made before I'd know they won't go bad.
The modulation mapping is innovative, seems very intuitive and others should take note - and could potentially carry a problem with it - potentiometers triggering (changes or mapping) when they shouldn't. The sturdiness of the case really is irrelevant. I notice there's no performance section and wonder if it takes input for that.
As for the rest - color coded knobs and buttons, xmod, filter options, excellent, and reads to me as a mono JD-XA with more connection options without the fuss. Whether this leads to unique farts and quacks - well, it's just very hard to get an analog synth to sound unique, if e.g. Andromeda A6 can't. They could still do it, and the benefit of lotsa upgrades is this could be a slice of bread on which they serve the eventual sandwich that could be killer. But people kinda have to know they're buying into killer or relatively same sounding. Do they have a great sound programmer, to tell them what features are needed, is the question.
Anyway end rant, thx for video. :)
I hope this flies for Norand. This has evolved in such positive ways. Obviously there will be development hiccups and compromises in a wildly ambitious project, but the calls seem intelligently made here. None of the glitches looks like it breaks any deals, in the sense that these things look all to be firmware issues at an early stage. So success here might allow the fledgling company to do more ambitious work going forward. This example seems very much its own animal in a field increasingly infested with copyrats. That is in itself a reason to be cheerful, as the old song goes.
Not usually interested in mono synths but this deep dive was absolutely fascinating. What a leap forward in terms of mono synth innovation!
Currently my favorite piece of gear. Still experiencing a few hiccups, but Matthieu has been very diligent in patching bugs. And this little monster can speak for itself. What a sound! Thank you NIck, for showing us a few tricks! I can see that I've barely scratched the surface of what this synth can do.
Sawteeth! 🙂 Probably this gear will join the club of the underrated synths... ps. As usual great review, thank You Nick!
Great review. I really want one but don’t need any more mono synths !!
Super interesting synth by a very nice company. I hope they continue to make great things.
I feel like the market is over saturated with analogue mono’s now. It’s getting harder to feel excited about them. The modulation options are nice though.
Oh my spaghetti monster, that filter is truly delicious!
Absolutely love my Norand mono mk II
Awesome job, Nick! I did a video on the mk1 and how I use it. To me, the most useful part of it is the sequencer and using it with MOD notes, gradually randomized in. I use this in live performances and it sounds like a much more capable synth than just a typical mono with drums and randomized MOD notes added. Best of all, because it sounds so great and inspiring, it makes it on 95% of the tracks I make which speaks for itself.
this is my favourite synth and i now rock with a mk1 and 2 . genuinely fun to use and to create music quickly
this is the 0nly standalone mono that was at superbooth that piqued my intrest
Analog filter, as well as 2 (analog) oscillators? What type of filter is it (3-pole/18dB … but what is it based on/similar to?)?
Interesting and sounds good … but why call it ‘hybrid’, if it’s an all-analog signal path? Analog LFO? Analog VCA? Analog envelopes?
this is my favourite mono synthesizer so much packed in
Wow.. this synth looks fun with a lot of room to explore and create.
I wanna see more of Nick’s music promoted. This guy has been a core backbone of the music tech world for so long and we know him for this but his actual music production is out of this world. The guy is right up there with any of the greats.
I mean, he was part of DNA (of Tom’s Diner remix fame) so there’s that.
25:13 That's a good patch with some very musical modulation
love that audiorate!!!
Dreadbox Hades has a 3 pole filter.
So did I understand well you made an alternative manual kind of thing? Was searching through your patreon and didn't find it! Thank you
On my CHristmas list; because as others have said - I hope it flies; but hope doesn't equate to income for them to keep the lights on. So I shall acquire and be one more step in the right direction!
A very cool synth. Interesting ideas for modulation. Seems like it could use a limiter at the end of the single chain!
Sounds surprisingly nice!!!
As ever my question is whether this is wind synth friendly? At a minimum can I use breath (aftertouch) to override the envelope, does it handle legato correctly, and does it not have a dead-spot in the middle of the pitch bend?
For bonus points, can I send it MIDI CCs to control all sorts of interesting things using the Roland AE-30's motion controls and pressure sensitive thumb pad?
Aerophone, you, and a foot pedal, lean into those bendable vibratos bro. All the above is go, sounds great, make it work 🤩
I like that cool Stephan Bodzin sound you can make with that
favorite synth ever! making wicked bass on this one and the mk1 for over a year
Very nice
Sounds great but too expensive for me, shame
I have the MK1 and it's amazing.
Just like you, I love this one. Great intro Nick!
15:45 nice!
Wow yet another mono thingy 😂
It's brilliant.
Looks quite hip I must say
15:38 bass face!
Nice. The lfo/ envelope setup reminds me of Gforce oddity.
Yes quite similar to the xlfo/xenvelope
Not only, but and new OBX too :)
How much?😱
303 has a 3-pole filter IIRC
Ah Ok thanks!
I think it has a 4-pole. Allegedly it's a common misconception that it's 3-pole 🤷♂️
We've been lied to!
Love my OG Mono with the new knobs.
I too have the OG Mono, were you able to buy just the MK II knobs from Norand? I don't seem to see this option on their website.
Yeah I emailed Norand and bought them directly from them@@birdFEEDER
33.29 minutes/seconds I will never,ever get back ,thanks a lot 😡
Lol this is the most ridiculous comment XD
agreed
sound's good